Obituaries

Thomas Martin Eral

September 13, 2012

United States Air Force Master Sergeant Ret. Thomas Martin Eral was born on Feb. 17, 1941, in Spirit Lake to Albert and Margaret Eral. Tom passed away on Sept. 4, 2012 at the age of 71 in a small cabin he built in Soldotna. He is survived by four brothers (Jim, Bill, Mike, and Gene) and one sister (Linda), his wife (Sheilah), a son (Mark), daughter (Mary), five grand-children, one great-grand-child, and many cousins, nieces and nephews. Tom moved to Anchorage, Alaska in July 1976, retired from the Air Force in 1980, he finally retired from the State of Alaska 1996 and moved to the Funny River/Soldotna area. For those that knew Tom, he was truly one of a kind. He would give the shirt off his back in 30 below weather; knock you through a wall to straighten you out, and "insist" on paying the dinner bill! With Tom you knew where you stood. He liked to give people a hard time in a joking way, the harder he was on you the more he liked you. Tom, you will be missed and remembered by all the lives you touched!

The funeral service was held at the Fort Richardson National Cemetery in Anchorage, Alaska on Monday Sept. 10 2012.